Katherine O'Donnell

Hastings resident, Katherine Ann O'Donnell, 90, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, Nebraska.

Services will be Tuesday, July 22, 2014; 2:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, Hastings with Pastor Greg Lindenberger officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings. Visitation will be Monday, July 21, 2014; 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. with family present at the funeral home, and one hour prior to service at the church. Memorials may be given to First United Methodist Church.

Katherine Ann O'Donnell was born to Howard R. & Jessie (Hepperly) Cornell on March 9, 1924 in Norfolk, Nebraska. She grew up in Norfolk and graduated from Norfolk High School in 1942 and enrolled in Norfolk Junior College where she graduated in 1944. She moved to Santa Anna, California where she was employed as secretary to the manager of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. She returned to Nebraska and on December 21, 1947 she married Edward F. O'Donnell of Newman Grove, Nebraska and they moved to Greeley, Colorado. She was employed by the University of Northern Colorado as secretary to the chairman of the Social Studies Department. In 1949 she and her husband moved to Great Falls, Montana where he was a teacher and coach in the public schools. In 1953 they moved to Beatrice, Nebraska and in 1963 to Hastings, Nebraska where he was Principal of Hawthorne Elementary School for 27 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church for 70 years where she taught Sunday school and Bible School and held numerous positions locally in the United Methodist Women including President, wedding consultant, spiritual growth chairman, and yearbook editor. She held offices for eight years on the UMW district level including President. She served as Corresponding Secretary for the Memorial Committee of the church for eight years. She was a board member of Church Women United for six years serving as Vice-President and President. In 2006 CWU honored her with the Valiant Woman Award. In 2006 she was honored with the Treasurer of First United Methodist Church Award and in 2009 the Nebraska Conference of United Methodist Women presented her with the Dedicate Light Award. She was a member of the Mary Lanning Hospital Auxiliary, Hastings Friends of the Library, Hastings Museum, Adams County Historical Society, Hastings Retired Teachers, YWCA, a charter member of Chapter GZ, PEO and a member of the National Honor Society. She and her husband enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Europe, all of Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and most of the states.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward; brother, Philip; two sisters, Greta and Mildred; and a grandson, Tyler Earnest.

Survivors include:
Daughters & Spouses:
Ann & Richard Lemmerman - Marquette, NE
Jane & William Earnest - Grand Island, NE
Son & Companion:
Jeff O'Donnell & Tami Berndt - Hastings, NE
Grandchildren & Spouses:
Kristin & Kurt Kreikemeier
Jenny & Josh Reeser
Eric Lemmerman
Patrick & Kristin O'Donnell
Kevin & Jill O'Donnell
Kelsey & Sam Trausch
Kathleen & Jacob Lance
Cody & Nicole Earnest
Great-Grandchildren:
Owen Kreikemeier
Elise Kreikemeier
Olivia Reeser
Cade Reeser
Sullivan Trausch
Finlay Trausch
Neveah Earnest
Hudson Lance
Sister:
Lois Besk - Bellevue, NE